Flower arrangement system and method of use

ABSTRACT

An adapter for securing to a top opening of a vase and receiving flowers, the adapter having a body with a rim extending around a periphery of the body, the rim being to rest on a top surface of the top opening of the vase; tubular extensions extending through a thickness of the body, each of the plurality of tubular extension having an opening positioned on a top surface of the body; the plurality of tubular extensions are angled toward a central region of the body; the plurality of tubular extensions receive flower stems.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to flower arrangement systems, and more specifically, to a flower arrangement system with an adapter for improved flower separation and arranging within a vase.

2. Description of Related Art

Flower arrangement systems are well known in the art and are effective means to keep and display flowers, both artificial and real. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional flower arrangement system 101 having a vase 103 with a top opening 105 and a plurality of flowers placed therein 107. During use, the user must arrange the stems of the flowers to try to achieve a desired placement and look.

One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is difficulty achieving a desired look. For example, the flowers and stems can become tangled and bunched, thereby making the flowers look too tightly clustered. In addition, the user may spend excessive amounts of time trying to perfect the placement and therefore the look of the arrangement.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of flower arrangement systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a common flower arrangement system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are front views of a flower arrangement system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the adapter of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the adapter of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the adapter of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 6 is a top simplified view of one embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are side views demonstrating the angle of tubular extensions of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a second embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a third embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the method of use of the system of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional flower arrangement systems. Specifically, the present invention provides a convenient means for aiding a user in arranging flowers while keeping the flowers and stems from becoming entangled and bunched. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict front views of a flower arrangement system 201 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional flower arrangement systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes a vase 203 with a top 205 having an opening 207 into the vase. System 201 further includes an adapter 209 configured to be inserted partially into the vase, wherein the adapter is secured to the top 205. In the preferred embodiment, the adapter merely rests on the top surface of top 205, however, alternative embodiments contemplate using adhesives, fasteners, or rubber rims to create a seal, or any other means of securing adapter 209 at the top of vase 203.

Adapter 209 is configured to receive stems 211 of a plurality of flowers 213. It should be understood that although this application shows and refers to flowers, system 201 could be used with any floral arrangement items, such as greenery, ceramic or plastic accessories, or any other item having a stem. Adapter 209 provides a means to receive the plurality of stems, thereby allowing for easy and improved arrangement of the flowers 213.

In FIGS. 3-5, bottom, top, and side views of one contemplated embodiment of adapter 209 are shown. Adapter 209 includes a body 301 with a rim 302 for resting on the top surface of the top of the vase. Adapter 209 further includes a plurality of tubular extensions 303 extending from a top surface 401 of body 301 and configured to extend into the vase. As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the tubular extensions are configured to extend at an angle relative to bottom surface 305 toward a central point of body 301. The tubular extensions include an opening 307 through which flower stems are received and therefore angled toward a central region of the vase.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the angling of the tubular extensions toward the center region of the adapter and the vase. It should be understood that this feature allows for the user to easily insert the stems of a plurality of flowers, wherein the adapter aids in separating the flowers for an improved aesthetical appearance.

As better shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, adapter 209 includes a first row of openings 403 positioned near the periphery of body 302, and a second row of openings 405 positioned nearer to a central opening 407.

In FIG. 5, a side view better demonstrates rim 302 and a side 501 which is positioned within the interior of the vase when adapter 209 is secured to the vase.

In FIGS. 6-8, top views show various contemplated arrangements of tubular extensions. In FIG. 6, three classes of tubular extensions are incorporated into a circular adapter 600, a first class 601 is positioned near the center, and are angled at about 20 degrees relative to a y-axis perpendicular to a top surface 603 of adapter 600. A second class 605 are arranged in small clusters around the periphery and extend at an angle of about 40 degrees relative to the y-axis. A third class 607 are arranged in clusters also around the periphery, and extend at about 50 degrees relative to the y-axis.

To aid in clarification, the angles are shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, relative to an x axis and y-axis. FIG. 6A demonstrates the about 20 degree angle (A), 6B demonstrates the about 40 degree angle (B), and 6C demonstrates the about 50 degree angle (C).

In FIG. 7, an alternative arrangement demonstrates a rectangular adapter 701 having a plurality of first sized openings 703 and a plurality of second sized openings 705. Similarly, FIG. 8 demonstrates a rectangular adapter 801 having a plurality of first sized openings 803 and second sized openings 805. It should be appreciated that the variously sized openings allow for further customization of the flower arrangement.

In FIG. 9, a flowchart 901 depicts a method of use of system 201. During use, the adapter is positioned within the opening of the vase, as shown with box 903. The user can then proceed to insert stems into the various tubular extensions, as desired, as shown with box 905. The flowers (or other floral elements) can then be displayed, wherein the flowers are separated via the adapter, as shown with box 907.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter for securing to a top opening of a vase and receiving flowers, the adapter having: a body with a rim extending around a periphery of the body, the rim being configured to rest on a top surface of the top opening of the vase; a plurality of tubular extensions extending through a thickness of the body, each of the plurality of tubular extension having: an opening positioned on a top surface of the body; wherein the plurality of tubular extensions are angled toward a central region of the body; wherein the plurality of tubular extensions receive flower stems.
 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the body is circular.
 3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the body is rectangular.
 4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tubular extensions comprises: a first row of tubular extensions extending from near the periphery of the body, the first row of tubular extensions extending toward the central region at a first angle relative to the top surface; and a second row of tubular extensions extending from near the central region of the body, the second row of tubular extensions extending toward the central region at a second angle relative to the top surface.
 5. A flower arrangement system, comprising: a flower vase having a top opening; an adapter configured to secure to the top opening of the vase, the adapter having: a body with a rim extending around a periphery of the body, the rim being configured to rest on a top surface of the top opening of the vase; a plurality of tubular extensions extending through a thickness of the body, each of the plurality of tubular extension having: an opening positioned on a top surface of the body; wherein the plurality of tubular extensions are angled toward a central region of the body; wherein the plurality of tubular extensions receive flower stems.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the body is circular.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the body is rectangular.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tubular extensions comprises: a first row of tubular extensions extending from near the periphery of the body, the first row of tubular extensions extending toward the central region at a first angle relative to the top surface; and a second row of tubular extensions extending from near the central region of the body, the second row of tubular extensions extending toward the central region at a second angle relative to the top surface.
 9. A method of creating a flower arrangement, the method comprising: providing the system of claim 1; securing the adapter to the top opening of the vase, wherein the plurality of tubular extensions extend into the vase and toward the central region; and inserting one or more flower stems into the plurality of tubular extensions; wherein the plurality of tubular extensions keep the one or more flower stems upright and separated. 